Means for controlling the operation of a plurality of gaseous discharge lamps



Feb. 8, 1949. w. FOERSTE 2,460,979

MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF A PLURALITY OF GASEOUS DISCHARGE LAMPS Filed July 50, 1945 IN V EN TOR. M4 LIAM FOERSTE.

A TTORNEX Patented Feb. 8, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE -MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERA- TION OF A PLURALITY OF GASEOUS DIS- CHARGE LAMPS 7 Claims. 1

The invention relates to the operation of raregas-filled lamps of the ordinary luminescent type as wellas of the fluorescent-type, wherein to effect the illumination an electrical discharge is provided between electrodes located at the opposite ends of an envelope containing a suitable gaseous medium. These lamps are usually operated by connecting the electrodes to the secondary of a transformer, the secondary voltage having a high-open-circuit value. The present invention relates to the operation of a plurality of such lamps in the manner set forth in my copending application Serial No. 412,492, now matured into Patent No. 2,392,845, and of which this application is a continuation in part.

It has for anobject to provide a transformer and control circuit whereby a plurality of lamps, of negative load characteristic, may be operated jointly at differing intensities of illumination, while maintaining substantially constant the load on the primary of saidtransiormer.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for varying inversely the respective intensities of illumination of a-pair of the lamps, or, alternatively, to operate both at substantially the same intensity which will be reduced from the maximum of either one of saidpair of lamps.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a simple and rugged construction by embodying the control features as an integral part of the transformer.

In carrying out the invention, a closed magnetic core transformer having a single primary and at least two secondaries, coupled as closely as possible to the primary, is provided with high reluctance variable reactors for control of the primary flux influencing the respective secondaries, which secondaries are connected respectively to corresponding luminescent lamps. The said reactors are magnetically positioned between the primary winding and its corresponding secondary winding in single-acting shut'magnetic relationship thereto, each reactor beingseparated from the closed magnetic core by a non-magnetic gap;

and they include each a winding designed for connection in series alternatively with one or the other of the core windings anda source of electrical energy, or also jointly.

The nature of the invention, however, will best be understood when described in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an electrical system for energizing at different intensities two lamps or, alternatively, both lamps substantially at the same intensity of illumination.

Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating a modification.

As indiciated in Fig. 1, a transformer structure is provided of the high reactanoe, high reluctance, magnetic leakage type which is substantially similar to that disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 412,492, now matured into Patent No. 2,392,845, and in my applications for High Reactance Transformer, filed of even date herewith. Thus, a primary winding it is provided and is arranged for connection with a supply main ll of electrical energy, as

., hereinafter set forth; and two independent secondary windings l2 and 13 are provided on the core of the transformer iorenergization, respectively, of the lamps l4 and [5. These may be either of the luminescent type or of the fluorrescent type.

Two auxiliary cores or high reluctance, high leakage reactance elements I6 and l! are included in the transformer structure in singleaoting shunt magnetic relationship with the core of the transformer respectively between the primary l9 and its corresponding secondary winding [2 or l3; and each auxiliary core is provided with a winding or coil, the former having the tapped winding portions 2-0 and 2 l, and the latter the tapped winding portions 22 and 23. The particular switching means for connecting in circuit these windings includes the double-pole switch-arm 24 and the corresponding sets of switch-points 25, 25, 21 and 23, 29, 3B.

-When arm 24 is in the position indicated, the light of one of the tubes or lamps l4, I5 is dimmed and-that of the other is intensified; and when moved to the position indicated by the broken lines,'the reverse actiontakes place, both actions being due as a result of the diiferent reactor winding introduced. In the intermediate position, via: when the switch-points 26 and 29 are bridged by the arm-24, the effect of the introduced windings is equal and both lamps operate at substantially the same intensity of illumination. Under all the conditions described, the primary load, however, remains substantially constant.

Instead of effecting the aforesaid illumination control through the connection tapped windings in series with the primary winding, the connection may be made in series with the secondary windings. Reference being had to 2 of the drawings, the primary is shown as adapted for connection directly to the energy ments 59 and 5! are similarly included in the j transformer structure comprising the core 52 and each is provided with a winding or coil, element 59 having the tapped winding portions 53 and 5d and the element 5i the tapped winding portion" 55 and 56. The winding 53-54 is connected to the respective switch-points 43 and 45, while the tap lead 51 is connected to the switch-point it. Similarly, winding 5556 is connected to the respective switch-points 46 and 48, and the tap lead 58 to the switch-point 47.

When the switch-arms 4! and 92 are on the respective switch-points 43 and 46, as indicated, the light of one of the lamps, as the lamp 56, is dimmed and that of the other lamp 39 is intensified; and when moved to the position indicated by the broken lines, the reverse action takes place. In the intermediate position with the respective arms on switch-points M and :37,

Since the operational load remains constant under all conditions, the size of the transformer utilized need be such only as will be suitable for slightly more than maximum intensity of illumination of one of the lamps, the total load being shifted or divided between the two lamps.

I claim: a

1. The combination with a plurality of gaseous discharge lamps operating at a substantially constant ionization voltage; of means to vary jointly the power supplied to the lamps to alter the respective intensities of illumination thereof, including a transformer having a closed magnetic core, only one primary and at least two secondary windings thereon, the latter being connected respectively to the lamps; and high reluctance variable reactors magnetically positioned between the primary and its corresponding secondary in single-acting shunt magnetic relationship with said closed magnetic core and separated therefrom by a non-magnetic gap for shunting from the said secondaries a portion of the flux generated by the said primary, and including respective coils and switching means for dividing variably between the lamps the outputs of the respective secondary windings.

2. The combination with a plurality ofgaseous,

discharge lamps operating at a substantially constant ionization voltage; of means to vary jointly the power supplied to the lamps to alter the respective intensities of illumination thereof, including a transformer having a closed magnetic core, only one primary and at least two secondary windings thereon, the latter being connected respectively to the lamps; high reluctance variable reactors magnetically positioned between the primary and its corresponding secondary in single-acting shunt magnetic relationship with said closed magnetic core and separated therefrom by a non-magnetic gap for shunting from the said secondaries a portion of the flux generated by the said primary, and including respective coils; and switching means to introduce said ,coils in series with one of the core windings to divide accordingly between the lamps the outputs of the respective secondaries while maintaining substantially constant the total load of said primary.

3. The combination of claim L'Wherein switching means are provided for connecting simultaneously the respective coils in series with one of the core windings and with a source of electrical energy.

a. The combination of claim 1, wherein switching means are provided for connecting simultaneously the respective coils in series with the primary and with a source of electrical energy.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein switching means are provided for connecting simultaneously the respective coils in series with their secondary windings and with a source of electrical energy.

6. The combination of claim 1, wherein each of the coils is provided with a tap, and switching means are provided for connecting alternativeiy the taps simultaneously in series with the primary and with a source of electrical energy or one entire coil in series with the primary and the said 46 source.

The combination of claim 1, wherein each of the coils is provided with a tap, and switching means are provided for connecting alternatively the taps simultaneously in series with their seoondary windings and with a source of electrical energy or one entire coil in series with a secondary and the said source.

WILLIAM FOERSTE.

REFERENCES crrsn The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS France Oct. 10, 1932 

